NEW YORK — Don't let the above photo fool you too much. Yes, the tarp is covering the infield here at Citi Field, and there's a threat of thunderstorms this afternoon. But the forecast looks pretty clear for the rest of the evening, so there doesn't appear to be much chance of any delay for tonight's series opener between the Nationals and Mets.

The Nats will be taking the field without their All-Star shortstop, Ian Desmond, who today was officially placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique tear. Danny Espinosa, who has looked sharp at shortstop over the last week, takes over there for the next month or so, with Steve Lombardozzi at second base.

Corey Brown, meanwhile, has been recalled from Class AAA to take Desmond's roster spot. The 26-year-old outfielder has put up huge numbers in Syracuse (.300 average, 21 homers, 58 RBI, 14 stolen bases) but it'll be interesting to see if Davey Johnson sticks with red-hot Roger Bernadina in center field for now, with Brown coming off the bench.

Jordan Zimmermann (4-0, 0.84 ERA over his last five starts) gets the ball against Chris Young. Plenty of updates and analysis coming live from Flushing, so please check back…

Um, looking at Wright vs. Zimmermann this year, he is batting .667 and slugging 1.333. He has never walked, so his OPS vs. Zimnn is a sweet 2.000So either give him what amounts to an automatic double, or nibble and walk him. Ike Davis is 0-4, batting a much safer 0.000, with an OPS of 0.000.So again, what is the better play there? I want wins, not displays of Bravado.

Now the boo birds come out! Puleeze. It was Davey's fault that he led Stras pitch past the fifth. Now it's Davey's fault for not letting JZ pitch the seventh? Make up your mind.Oh, wait, your minds *are* already made up. Whenever a pitcher blows it, blame Davey for either putting that pitcher in, or taking the prior one out. Simple!

Joe Seamhead said… Oh, good grief, here come the trolls again.Go back under your rocks,slime.I know, Joe, I know. So, apologies, Joe, I know we shouldn't feed the trolls, but these are too hard for me to resist:phil dunton said… Our relief pitching sucks!Actually, it's towards the top in MLB. Go look it up.Scott Margenau said… Stop bunting harp. All u do is get hurt or give away a strike. Has he ever bunted a single?Yes.Scott Margenau said… Davey u stink. Did this same crap in bmore. Mussina pulled for Orasco …horribleSnicker — this one is way too easy:1. Davey managed two seasons in B-more — finished second, and then first. (Hello? When was the last time _that_ happened?)2. Davey won Manager of the Year with B-more.Go pick on Angelos if you really want to criticize someone who messes up a team.

He's going to need Zimmermann the rest of the year, now I'm pretty sure he would have pitched the eighth if his spot hadn't come up, but clipping off an inning here and there isn't a bad thing for a guy who hasn't pitched even 180 innings in a year. He needs to work Storen back into things, and this is the role Gonzalez has on the roster.

Scott Margenau said… I agree Section 135. Davey looks too much at stats a never seems to have a "feel" for the game or take other circumstances into consideration.Yup — just look at his overall record.Oh, wait, 2d best lifetime win PCT amongst active managers? Huh, how's that happen?

Wonk, he may have won MOTY then but he stunk. I was there. That's why the never won…that and that kid that caught the ball…and yes that was Davy's fault too. He's an arrogant manager that loves to talk about….Davy. Anyone can read stats…but this guy has no feel. Sorry. Btw – agree Angelos n Snyder worst owners ever.

Mick.. deep breathes!! I know you want to blast gonzales, and that is okay, but deep breathes buddy.Oh and for whoever commented on the bullpen, the last 3 games the starters have gone 7, they are well rested.

So in 2011, Game 55 was won in game 114. 2010, game 55 was won in game 130 played, In 2009 game 55 was was won in game 158 (GEESH), in 2008 game 55 was one in game 143. So winning game 55 in 2012 was done in what number of games, Oh Yea, 94

Really? So with riggleman, who we all thought would be MOTY before he lost his mind…would have not been at this record? It's called talent and a great pitching staff. Best pen and starters in baseball. Is this daveys blog?

I submit these are not trolls, strictly speaking. They're Phans In Nats Clothing. That's assuming, just for the sake of argument, they are in Nats clothing. PhINCs.I was working on a better one, but this is still a family blog.

Scott, in my case, YUP, because Riggs would not have stuck with Desi or Espi, period. Notice what happened with Desi when Davey got a hold of him, notice how everyone settled into rolls and not worry about constantly being benched? SO if that makes me a Davey fan, than fine, Sign me up.

Yes, most of us here (including me) like Davey. We also actually are fans of the Nats. However, most of us are able to point out both good things and bad things about Davey and the teamSome of you only show up when it's time to be critical but are never here when things are going wellSince the Nats just took the lead, I guess you'll never see this…

So with riggleman, who we all thought would be MOTY before he lost his mind…Really right back at ya dude? So, please explain why Jim Riggleman, he of smart ball, small brain has the worst winning percentage of any major league manager going back to 1900? Riggleman is far and away one of the most nepotistic managers … its all about politics with him … who's on "his team". Its not about who has talent. And that's why he loses. And also why he keeps getting jobs.

lol – did you see how close Harper was on Lombo's heels? Oh, and now Morse!Where are the trolls? Let me post in their stead: And of course, our hitters screw up again and take the save situation from Clippard!!

Fair enough y'all. I just don't think a manager is the diff this year. This is my first year as a nat fan after Davy crushed my heart in bmore b4 we had ball here. Still bitter.BUT how bout harp, zim, morse! Wooooot!!!!

Davy crushed my heart in bmore b4 we had ball here. Still bitter.I still don't understand why Orioles fans spend any time here? They should hang out with Angel'O's the governor of Baltimore's good buddy. I never liked the Orioles. NEVER. I never liked Angelos. I never "got milk" just because of Cal Ripken. Go back to the murky depths of the Innuh habbah along with Babe Ruth's soiled diapers.

Hey, Riggleman could still be Manager of the Year – on a calendar. He's ripped! ;-POK, I am starting to feel bad for the Mets. Also don't want anyone to get hurt on the wet field. Need the game to end.

Scott Margenau said… Fair enough y'all. I just don't think a manager is the diff this year. This is my first year as a nat fan after Davy crushed my heart in bmore b4 we had ball here. Still bitter.Well, you're talking to a old Mets fan who has loved Davey since the early 1980's, and have seen him do nothing except win every place he goes. Funny how every team he manages gets an improved record than the year before he arrived. Four-for-four on that. I guess he's just lucky.OTOH, when everybody and their brother was saying the Nats would improve and, the most optimistic ones saying possibly contend for second, Davey was saying "if we don't come in first, fire me."As noted by others above: Davey stuck with Ian and Espi through the tough times. Almost all the players love that he sticks with them, he's honest, and each knows their role. He's managed the pitching staff excellently. He was the one who wanted Harper from opening day, and insisted he was ready for MLB. He convinced Rizzo he wanted to replace the entire bench. And etc etc etc.(As for "mistakes" — even if you make a play that's going to work 80% of the time, it'll still blow up on you 20% of the time).

MicheleS said… So in 2011, Game 55 was won in game 114. 2010, game 55 was won in game 130 played, In 2009 game 55 was was won in game 158 (GEESH), in 2008 game 55 was one in game 143. So winning game 55 in 2012 was done in what number of games, Oh Yea, 94 July 23, 2012 9:54 PM Yes, MicheleS, but as Mick might say: "So what does that prove?"I remember 2009. As I recall, we went on a seven-game winning streak at the end to reach 59 at the wire.There's improved, much improved and then there is the 2012 Nationals: light years improved."WOOO-HOOO!!!"

So, the Braves, Mets, and Phillies all lose! Phillies get first inning homers from Utley and Howard, but Doc Halladay gives up 6 runs.Marlins, Phillies are pretty much toast, Mets aren't far behind. I still think there will be an epic battle between the Braves and Nats for the title, with the Nats winning it because we have the better skipper.